Sadly, it’s been a long time since Phoenix Nights ended after only two series – 17 years, in fact, with the series coming to a conclusion on September 12th 2002.
To celebrate the show, Peter Kay has been doing screenings of it around the UK, with the proceeds going to charity. While the tour is yet to hit the North, there were screenings in London over the weekend, in which Peter teased a Phoenix Nights film.
Channel 4
The bad news is the Bolton comedian flat out confirmed there will be no more series of it, before getting fans excited with his comments about a film. According to the Bolton News, the funnyman said in a pre-recorded video at the charity screening: “People always ask, ‘Will there be more Phoenix Nights?’ and I can now confirm there won’t — but I am thinking of a film.”
Peter went on to joke: “It should have been the twentieth anniversary but I got the dates wrong. I arranged it, booked the venue, sorted the posters and then realised, I don’t think it’s been 20 years.”
These screenings are the first time the series has ever been shown on the big screen, and the Manchester event will take place at the O2 Apollo in February, with multiple screenings over the weekend of the 7th-8th. While this is sold out, there is also an event at Blackpool Opera House on Saturday February 29th – with a few resale tickets still going. The event is screening both series of the show, with all profits going to Cancer Research UK.
The BBC’s coverage of Prince Philip’s death has received a ‘record number’ of complaints, according to reports. It’s been reported that the broadcaster has been hit with more than 100,000 complaints in regards to its coverage of the Duke of Edinburgh’s death. This would be a record in British television history, with the BBC creating a dedicated form online for viewers to voice their dissatisfaction.
The BBC, having adopted wall-to-wall Prince Philip coverage to avoid being criticised in parts of the media and politics…. has now received so many complaints about their wall-to-wall coverage they’ve set up a streamlined form to complain about it. https://t.co/jgOqU5e51N
The broadcaster cleared its schedules to cover Prince Philip’s death on Friday, and according to The Sun it has now received more than 100,000 complaints. This is a record breaking number, beating the previous high of 63,000, which was again from the BBC when they screened Jerry Springer: The Musical back in 2005.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We are proud of our coverage and the role we play during moments of national significance.” The broadcaster wiped its schedules on both BBC One and BBC Two to run mirrored programmes about the Duke following his death, while BBC Four displayed a message urging people to switch over for a ‘major news report’.
If you’re not sure what to do with yourself while waiting for the next episode of Line of Duty, then ITV has got you covered. The broadcaster’s new three-part drama series Too Close began last night, with episode two airing tonight. Starring Emily Watson and Denise Gough, ITV’s gripping psychological thriller was written by author and actress Clara Salaman and directed by Sue Tully (Line of Duty). The series was inspired by the novel of the same name, which was published under Clara’s pseudonym Natalie Daniels.
The mini-series premiered last night, Monday April 12th, and it focuses on the dangerous relationship between a forensic psychiatrist, Dr Emma Robertson (Emily Watson), and her patient.
Dr Robertson is assigned to work with Connie Mortenson (Denise Gough), a woman accused of an awful crime connected to the death of two young children – however, she claims she can’t remember a thing. While the two women find themselves becoming dangerously close, it appears Dr Robertson might be ‘destroyed’ in the process of uncovering the truth.
Besides Watson and Gough, the series also stars Thalissa Teixeira, James Sives, Risteard Cooper, Chizzy Akudolu, Eileen Davies and Nina Wadia.
Too Close began last night on ITV, with the next episode airing tonight at 9pm and the following episode at the same time on Wednesday.
Tipping Point is on the hunt for Mancunians to star in the new series. The ITV game show is looking for contestants for series 12, so if you know anyone who’d be perfect for it then let them know. Hosted by Ben Shephard, Tipping Point gives people the chance to win thousands of pounds.
ITV says: “We are searching for fun, confident people who enjoy quizzing and would like the opportunity to win thousands of pounds using a combination of skill, judgement and chance.”
ITV
The hit show airs between 4pm and 5pm every weekday, and sees contestants answer questions on general knowledge, films, politics and other subjects before taking on the ‘tipping point’ machine.
Just like the coin pusher machines seen in the arcades of Blackpool and other seaside towns across the North West, contestants drop counters to win money. People earn money from the silver counters which are worth £50, while ‘mystery counters’ and the £10,000 jackpot counter can also boost their cash pile.
ITV
Applicants must be 18 or over, and the deadline for applying is Friday May 7th – the last date for postal applications is Monday May 3rd. To apply, either use ITV’s online application form here or email apply@rdftelevision.com for postal entries.